So, what can you say consistently as a person of integrity that will cause others to gravitate toward you and eventually say, “This is someone I can trust”?

You can start with these phrases:

1. “How Do You Think That Went?”

A question all great mentor-coaches in influential roles ask. Reserve your judgment to avoid defensiveness and use this question to let someone else gauge her success by her own standards. This puts the other person at ease, and she is free to decide how successful the task, presentation, performance, or meeting was, and what she wants to talk about in relation to the question.

3. “Would You Mind Giving Me a Hand?”

This is especially tactful after you’ve admitted a short-coming, an oversight, or that you’ve royally messed up. Asking for help extends your honesty and your humble disposition makes you more trustworthy to the other person.

5. “I Trust Your Judgment”

Trust is a two-way street. By extending it as a gift to others, they’ll be more inclined to return the favor and trust you back. This gives workplaces clear competitive advantage and brings teams closer together to produce excellent, cohesive work.

6. “I Couldn’t Have Done it Without You”

This is quite possibly the highest form of saying “thank you.” By acknowledging someone else’s effort for going above and beyond, especially if it makes you look good, put that person on the pedestal he or she deserves. When reinforced as a cultural trait, this simple act of encouragement is a mental booster that will send ripples of trust across the team.

7. “Here’s What This Means for You...”

People want to know where they stand—they want to feel safe, and certainly be ensured that you (especially if you’re a boss) have their best interests in mind. If you’re selling an idea, getting buy-in to a challenging vision, or requesting money for a project, communicate clearly to your audience the benefits—short and long-term.

8. “I’m All Ears”

This will instantly send a message to the listener that you’re open to dialogue and are genuinely interested in what they have to say. Just make sure your body language matches so you are truly giving the other person your undivided attention with no distractions. Add some flattery, acknowledge his or her ideas or suggestions, and you may just spark a productive exchange.

9. “What Can I Do to Help?”

This phrase can move mountains when deadlines are due, stress is high, and desperation is setting in. Leaders that demonstrate action through this question by genuinely helping others and having their backs will create a ripple effect.

10. “What Can I Do Differently?”

People with a growth mindset will and should use this phrase often as they learn new things. It demonstrates that they’re open to suggestions and are eager to see something from another angle to accelerate their development. And as leaders, they should allow others the freedom to express their opinions and validate those that add value. It may be that you’re the one that may benefit from someone else’s expertise to help you see something different.

More From Inc.

Photo of people chatting courtesy of Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Getty Images.

Inc.com is where you can find everything you need to know to start and grow your business now. Inc.com is replete with small business ideas, information, and inspiration, as well as practical advice from those who have done it before.

Meet The Author

Inc.com is where you can find everything you need to know to start and grow your business now. Inc.com is replete with small business ideas, information, and inspiration, as well as practical advice from those who have done it before.